Many runners want to run faster but oftentimes train harder and longer with little to no results. The solution isn’t training harder, it is training smarter. Too often runners and coaches address only one or maybe two of the major physiological factors in improving running performance. We’d like to share how to address the 3 major factors so that you perform your best.

3 major physiological factors for running performance:

1. Oxygen Consumption– The more efficient your body is at using oxygen, the easier it is to run and the faster you will run. Some ways to improve oxygen consumption are training or living at high elevation, long ‘aerobic’ type runs, anaerobic VO2 max type workouts and optimal nutrition to enhance oxygen supply to your muscles.

2. Lactate Threshold– Improving your lactate threshold will allow your muscles to work harder and longer before they fail. Interval, speed and strength training all help improve your lactate threshold.

3. Running Efficiency– Often the most undervalued and overlooked aspect from coaches and runners for an optimal training plan. Improving your running efficiency by practicing an efficient running technique can also be the quickest and easiest way to improve your running performance as well as reduce your chances for injury.

All runners should work on ALL 3 aspects for not only optimal performance but injury prevention and running enjoyment. Finding a training plan and coach that is knowledgeable and professional in addressing these 3 major physiological components will ensure that you perform your best.

We at Wholistic Running help runners of all levels easily address these 3 components with our Online Coaching Plans. We offer individualized training plans that improve both oxygen consumption and lactate threshold to increase your overall fitness while saving you time. You also get running technique analysis and personalized technique plans specifically designed for you to improve your running economy as well as nutritional coaching to boost your energy, stamina and strength. Why not easily do everything you can to perform the best ever while having fun AND saving time?

Win a FREE bottle of Flora’s new Omega Sport+ by just going over to our Facebook pageand ‘liking’ our most recent post where you’ll then be entered to win. We’ll announce one random winner tonight. Thanks to all of our Wholistic Running fans!

As a plant-based athlete on the prestigious list of ‘Greatest Vegan Athletes‘, I can attest to the power of a plant-based diet. It has allowed me to run 40 ultra marathons (mostly 50 and 100 mile races) without a significant injury for over 12 years. Eating plant-based has helped my performance, reduced injuries and gives me tremendous energy. A plant-based diet has not only helped me but countless other athletes as and this is why Wholistic Running offers Nutritional Consulting and Online Coaching to help you perform and feel your best. –Damian Stoy, founder of Wholistic Running

Damian & Lindsey are both certified in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell. Lindsey has an M.S. in Holistic Nutrition for Athletes and is a top-level runner. If you want to learn from the best, find out more about Lindsey and Damian and how they can help you today!

Lindsey and I seek every advantage we can to be more successful and have greater energy and health. We call these benefits ‘Marginal Gains’. They quickly and easily add up to significant benefits that you can see and feel.

We recently tested out Fully Charged, a new product that promises to give you more energy, reduce fatigue and boost your performance using plant-based ingredients such as beet and cherry extracts. We were skeptical at first. But we can honestly say that after over a dozen runs using Fully Charged, we see a significant advantage of more energy, better performance and less fatigue. We’re adding this to our list of Marginal Gains!

You can get Fully Charged at 15% off when you click on either picture or go HERE. Try it out and you’ll see a boost in your runs just like we did.

Damian Stoy is a renowned coach and professional ultra runner. He offers online coaching and nutritional consulting for athletes all around the world.

I use to suffer from many chronic running injuries and had several doctors and physical therapists tell me:

“Give up running.” “Running is bad for you.” “You aren’t designed to run.”

I sure am glad I didn’t listen to them. Since then, I have run over 40 ultra marathons (mostly 50 or 100 mile races) winning 8 of them.

A greater accomplishment is the fact that I ran injury-free for over 11 years after suffering from those chronic injuries. I do specific things that prevent serious injury because I do not want to go back to the days when I was injured and couldn’t run. My passion is sharing how I overcame those injuries and how to stay injury-free with as many people as possible.

Shin splints, runner’s knee, IT band pain, muscle strains and foot pain were just some of the injuries I use to suffer from. Worst of all, I had tendonitis in both knees for two years when I was in college. I was in pain all the time and some days I could barely walk. I went to some of the best doctors and physical therapists and nothing seemed to help. So I gave up running completely.

Two years of not running led to depression and a decline in health. I decided there had to be a solution, a better way. I started researching, read lots of books and found out that if I modified and practiced my running technique, I could maybe run again. It sounded unbelievable and I was very skeptical. But I went out and modified my running technique, running for the first time in over 2 years. To my surprise I was able to run with minimal pain. As the days went past, I was able to run more and more with less and less pain. I was hooked.

Since then I have learned extensively about how to run injury-free as well as increase performance. I have experimented with many concepts and lots of trial and error. Now being a competitive ultra runner and injury-free for over 11 years, I have found what works really well for me and my passion is sharing it with others.

Here are my top tips for injury-free running and greater performance:

1. Listen to your body

Yes, I sometimes have minor tweaks and pains when I train and after 50 or 100 mile races. The important thing is to not let these become injuries that stop you from running. The key is listening to your body. Do NOT ignore these pains. They are a signal from your body that you need to back off, rest AND correct whatever is wrong such as your running technique.

2. Improve your running technique

The major factor that allowed me to overcome chronic injuries was modifying my running technique. In the past I was inefficient and ran with a high impact technique that beat up my body, though I had no idea at the time. For you to correctly modify your technique, do lots of your own research and try different concepts. I highly recommend seeking out a technique specialist to help you with your technique. At a minimum, video yourself running so you can see exactly how you run. Too many runners tell me they don’t heel strike, don’t have imbalances or misalignment issues but most often they do.

3. Improve your nutrition

What I eat greatly enhances my overall health, keeps my energy levels very high and helps me to recover incredibly fast. Again, the key is listening to your body and finding out what works best for you. I have tried just about everything out there and the ‘diet’ that works best for ME for performance, recovery and increased energy is a whole foods, plant-based diet (WFPB).

4. Train smarter, not harder

I am a firm believer in quality over quantity. Training with this philosophy can prevent burn out, decrease injuries and running will be more enjoyable. You will also be more likely to reach your long term goals. Every run you do should have a purpose. Get rid of the junk miles that do not serve a purpose. Cyclic and periodization training are very valuable for reaching long term goals.

There are many good training programs out there. However, most do not focus on injury prevention. I highly recommend looking for a running coach like myself that specifically focuses on injury prevention as well as performance.

5. Other important factors

Cross training and runner specific strength training are beneficial but in my opinion NOT as important as the factors I discuss above. Your foundation should be overall health, an efficient technique and proper training. Strength and cross training will build upon your foundation but too many runners rely on them exclusively for injury prevention.

Damian Stoy is a professional runner, coach, nutritional consultant and founder of Wholistic Running. He offers online coaching and nutritional consultations for runners all around the world.

We at Wholistic Running hope you had a great summer with lots of happy running. Many of the athletes we coach had very successful races this year. Some had other goals including weight loss and overcoming injuries. Those athletes met their goals and often exceeded them which we couldn’t be more happy about.

Lindsey and I only coach a handful of athletes at any given time in order to offer the most comprehensive and individualized attention that runners require no matter what level they are at. We love helping beginning to competitive runners reach their goals! Our athletes often exceed their goals with not only our knowledge and attention but by inspiring them to go beyond what they believe is possible.

Next week we will be increasing the prices of our 1, 3, and 6-month coaching packages. Right now we have a couple of coaching spots available where you can lock in our current price. Athletes that we currently coach will pay the same price they have paid in the past.

You may use your coaching package now ORin 2017. You may also purchase packages as gifts for friends and family. Don’t miss out! To view our current packages, click HERE.

What runner doesn’t want to boost performance, recover quicker and have more energy? Besides improving the efficiency of my running technique and training smarter, nutrition provides the most important benefits to my running performance. I am known for being an injury-free ultra runner and this smoothie that I drink after every run is one reason why.

Give meaningful, lasting and helpful gifts to the runners in your life. Here are suggestions that will please any runner.

Runners love products that help with performance, nutrition and recovery. Hammer makes a variety of products including supplements, apparel and accessories. Get 15% OFF your first order by clicking HERE.

Runners get injured too often. Give a gift that can help every runner runner healthier with Correct Toes. Get free shipping by using this code at checkout: WR2014

A great coach is hard to find. Damian and Wholistic Running have helped hundreds of runners perform their best, overcome injuries and enjoy running more than ever. We have gift certificatesand online coachingthat make the perfect gift.